Well indeed we are back to cold, grey and, at the moment, rainy Germany.....Only two weeks have passed since our return and we are already feeling "homesick" again and would loved to be back to KTP.It was once again an awesome, sometimes even mind-blowing time we spend there.

I have already posted one of our absolute once in a lifetime sightings of this trip in Arid Parks.So here is the link for all those who might have missed it so far

Now I have to work my way through hundreds (and more) pics and hours of video footage, but hopefully soon a proper trip report is going to start.....

We were relieved when finally the recption and entrance gate came into sight.Loads of familiar faces greated us with a smile and as always the words " Welcome back" made us very happy.Indeed it was good to be back again!Checking in was done in no time and we move into our bungalow.Unpacking the car....Geez! We nearly had forgotten how hot it can be in the Kalahari

So we enjoyed an ice cold coke and the company of the Twee Rivieren Mongooses and some birds, that came to visit our newly bought bird bath ( a plastic plate that did serve us well on our trip).

Well that day already started unbelievably hot.Not only hot, but very windy as well.We slowly made our way towards Samevloeiing.Here we met our friends the Oryx again, and already here you can see how windy it was.

Then we once again commenced our way though the dunes towards the Aoub riverbed.Along the way two Ostriches stopped us as they wanted to cross the road (of course) right in front of our car Then they walked off into the dunes again.

We already knew that this was going to be a quiet day.It was far too hot and too windy. Yet still we enjoyed driving through this wonderful landscape. We were back "home"...

At one of the waterholes north of Houmoed we met even more Oryx and an Ostrich in the heavy wind.

Last year we had been blessed with many wonderful Meerkat sightings here.This year it was more quiet. But shortly after we talked about that we discovered a movement not far from the road. And indeed here they were again, our beloved Meerkats...

We had our usual stop at Auchterlonie before carrying on our way north.After we had passed Gemsbokplein I detected a strange movement on top of the ridge....Having a closer look I discovered that it was a Procupine

And at one of the waterholes we discovered some Ostriches with (unfortunately only...) 2 chicks...

Then we finally arrived at Kalahari Tented Camp.How wonderful to be back again. We got a nice tent with view to the waterhole and unpacked our car.Of course we went for another afternoon drive later on...

We were slowly making our way to the 14th Borehole when we suddenly detected a movement in the riverbed.At first we thought Oryx, but then we realised that this was the typical walk of a cat.In fact 5 cats, 5 beautiful Lions were making their way to the waterhole.So we drove past them and waited for their arrival.

Now it was time to drive to Mata Mata.We had an appointment there.p@m and SO were staying in one of the new bungalows. And they invited us over for a cool drink.It was so nice to meet the two of you and to chat about all yours and our sightings.Hopefully we will see you the next time around as well

It was another hot day and the clouds were getting bigger and bigger.The afternoon was quiet. But we were able to spot the Giant Eagle Owl at Craig Lockhardt.

We drove past the waterhole, but everything was indeed very quiet.At Craig Lockhardt I took a pic of the amazing light. The sky look as if it was going to rain later on, but there was not a single drop...

Well that morning we made our way once again very slowly towards the direction of the boreholes.We passed Sitzas, but found nothing.Then a car stopped and told us, that a little further down the road there were Lions quite close by the road.So we carried on with pleasant anticipation.

And indeed here they were and they even had two cubs.... They rested under a measly tree Well at least that tree provided a bit of shade.

We watched them for a long while. Only one other car was there with us and as measured by the big smiles on their faces they had fun too....

After the Lions had left, it was time for us as well to leave again fort he southern direction.At Craig Lockhardt we saw dozens of Sandgrouses.I just love the sound, this is one of the sounds of the Kalahari, like the Jackals, the Barking Geckos, the Lions etc.

And a few kilometres up the road a Sandsnake. Thank god although right in the middle of the road and lying there like a pillar of salt, still aliveâ€¦.We stopped as long as the little Snake needed to cross the road.

We met p@m and so again on the road and they told us that they had spotted a Scops Owl in one of the trees close to Craig Lockhardt.So again we had something to look forward to.But first a couple of kilometres before reaching Craig Lockhardt we sighted something from the corner of our eyes that looked like a fur cap..

Now it was time for our usual siesta.Later that afternoon, we drove up to Mata Mata for some shopping. Just before we entered the main camp gate, we discovered a group of Meerkats. We stopped and they were gone in seconds.

Of course we wanted to drive to the boreholes again.Just as we reached the turnoff to the 14th Borehole we discovered Cheetahs on top of one of the dunes.Unfortunately they were quite far away and as it seems not in the mood to come down into the riverbed.

So this was already our last full day in KTC before moving south to another of our favourite camps, Urikaruus.

But once again we were slowly moving southwards to the direction of the boreholes.The day started like the last day ended with a Giraffe sighting.This time two cute little ones together with the whole family.It seems that the Giraffes like the Kalahari very much and the hers are getting bigger and bigger.On one occasion we counted around 17 Giraffes (or more) in one spot....

It was a quiet day, but then are there really quiet days in KTP ?!I don't think so....

Well it was certainly not quiet in the camp A large flock of Crows (about 14) had moved in and made a hell of a row. They preferred the tree that was standing right in front of our bedroom window So no siesta today...

In the afternoon we left for yet another drive.Just as we had driven down the second hill after leaving KTC we observed the greeting of two Jackals.I love to observe this kind of interaction and so we stopped for a while.

At Craig Lockhardt one of those fast mowing Crimson Breasted Shrikes was hunting in the trees close to the waterhole.

Just as we had passed Dalkeith and were back on the main road we had yet another great sighting.We could not believe our eyes.Honey Badger, very high on our wish-list.And moreover two of them I can tell you they were really fast and even more as a Jackal followed them in close distance, which upsets one of the HB's...I think you can see the excitement of the HB in the last photo, just look at his tail...

So today we were moving from Kalahari Tented Camp to Urikaruus.And although we really love KTC we were looking forward to be back to that special camp again.

As we had to pack all our stuff back into the car,we were not the first one leaving the camp.

We stopped at Craig Lockhardt.Here the waterhole was really busy with Oryx, Springboks, one Hartebeest and a little later a herd of Wildebeest.I have to say, we never saw so many Oryx like we did this year.Sometimes 10-15 in one spot

In the morning we had seen an AWC north of the 14th borehole. Unfortunately the only spot where you were able to take a decent pic from, was blocked by one car.... So we decided to better drive on....By the way, we were pretty sure that we saw that Wildcat the year before as well near the 14th borehole, and so we called her "Missy of the 14th"

We made a joke: "Just let us have a look if the cat is still in her tree!"

And we were surprised that she was indeed still there. Just moved a bit out of the sun.

We stopped at the Hyena den again.It was already getting darker. This time we saw one of the bigger Hyenas, but not the young one.But hey we will be here for a couple of nights, so we will give it another chance the next day...

It was already 7.20 pm when we handed Marius our permit.We were busy preparing our dinner, when I heard the call of a Jackal close by.Wait there must be something at the waterhole.I grabbed the torch and there she was, the Urikaruus leopard at the waterhole. By then the Jackal sounded as he was nearly getting an heat attack.

Unbelievable, it was only 7.34 pm and we had a Leopard at the waterhole These are the surprises of the Kalahari.

Last edited by katydownunder on Thu Jan 20, 2011 12:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Well today we had to travel to TR as the petrol station at Mata Mata ran out of Diesel, while we stayed there, so we thought it's a great opportunity to travel back south, have a look what's in the shop, buy some diesel and travel back to Urikaruus all in combination with a game drive......

Of course we checked the Hyena den and this time we were lucky.All the Hyenas were outside, including the little one, but far away on the hill.It was so cute to observe the little one who was the most active of the whole group.On one point the little one strolled too far away and was called back by the grown ups..

As it was already quite late when we returned, we decided to stay in the camp and wait what might visit the waterhole.Especially after Marius told us, that only an hour after we had left three Cheetahs had been to the waterhole for a drink Don't you just hate it when that happen ?!

Well despite being so very hot during the day, the nights at Urikaruus were freezing cold.And it was no fun sitting outside in the morning, having a coffee and waiting for things to come.I was already wearing a couple layers of clothes, all the warm clothing I had taken with me in fact (making a mental note, pack the windbreaker the next time...).It was the heavy wind that made it really uncomfortable.So I was sitting there with a coffee, blue fingers and jittering (ok, call me a sissy ) with my camera and the camcorder ready for action.Then I suddenly heard two crows making a hullabaloo. Sailing in the wind like a kite.So I took my camera to try and capture them.

But then I detected a movement in the bushes to the right of our hut.Maybe there was some kind of animal, maybe a predator that drove the Crows crazy.And indeed I discovered something brown, oh well I thought : Possibly a Jackal that disturbed the Crows...."But then I nearly got a heart attack, very slowly walking through the bushes, came....

Now my hands were shaking, not only because of the cold, but from the excitement as well.The Caracal was slowly walking over to the waterhole, she had noticed me for sure, but was completely ignoring me.

....and lied down underneath our car, unfortunately by then 4 of our neighbours, were standing right at our little entrance gate and scared her so much that she got up and left. So no photo of her underneath our car....

We passed the 13th borehole and the 14th borehole without any sighting.But just as we had passed the 14th we joked again about "Missy of the 14th" and her favourite tree.And simply could not believe our eyes, she was back again. Indeed her favourite tree

At Dalkeith, a small herd of Kudus was licking the salt off the stones around the waterhole. The waterhole itself was dry.I can not remember that we ever saw Kudus in the Aoub riverbed, so far all our KTP Kudu sightings have been on the Nossob side.

Coming closer to the 13th borehole we spotted another Pearl Spotted Owl.I never saw one of those tiny Owls out in the open, usually they are always within the green of the trees.This one was constantly moving between his/her lookout and a some trees close by, not amused that we stopped to take photos she rant and rave at us

At the camp we had our usual noon siesta, it was really so very hot. And so there was not visitor to the waterhole....

In the afternoon we could not resist to go for yet another drive.We still hoped for the little pup being closer down to the road......But this time the little one, as well as the other Hyenas were not there.

We were slowly driving closer to the camp. We nearly reached the spot where the road crosses the riverbed, when Francolin said: " There....Lions" I said: " Where?"And she said: "There, right in front of us...." Indeed not even 5 metres from the road 3 Lions were lying there watching us.

Now it was really time to return back to the camp.And again, what a day.We prepared dinner, opened a nice bottle of wine and enjoyed the last evening at Urikaruus, when we suddenly discovered that there were visitors at the waterhole.The Lions were there to have a drink.

Well today it was time to move again.This time Nossob was our next destination.Quite a few kilometres to drive so I got up early (before 5am) to start packing and to still have time left to enjoy a cup of coffee and breakfast with the fantastic view of the waterhole...

Before I went to the shower I stepped outside onto our bedroom balcony to check the waterhole.Indeed there was something there, so I grabbed the binoculars to have a closer look (it was still pretty dark...).I checked, jumped into the bedroom: "Come on get up, down into the kitchen, the Leopard is back at the waterhole..."

So we were lucky again.The beautiful Leopard was back She had a sip and then went off into the dunes again...

Later we sat outside and enjoyed the great view for one last time. Well we will be back (already during this trip...)A Springbok came to waterhole to have a drink, but was very cautious. I think he could still smell the Leopard.

While we sat on the kitchen deck, I heard the sound of some Yelow-billed Hornbill.I searched the tree, without success, than I saw where the sound came from.Two Yellow-billed Hornbills sat on the windscreen of our car, enjoying their reflection and "talking" to each other....

So goodbye Urikaruus ( we will be back in about a week )View from cabin # 4.

We drove the upper dunes road.Usually we are not very successful with our sightings there.Moreover I am always a little bit afraid to stop for sightings, as often some reckless drivers makes this quite dangerous.

This time we were more lucky.The drivers behaved and so we stopped for a Greater Kestrel.

We arrived at Nossob around noon and moved into our new home....Later that afternoon we went for yet another drive, but again it was quiet.We stopped at Cubitje on the way back to camp. Observed the Doves and decided that it was time again to drive back to the camp.It has been a long day.

A couple of kilometres before we finally reached the camp we spotted another Bat Eared Fox.

We enjoyed a nice dinner and were nearly on our way to bed when we heard Jackals calling.So we went to the hide instead.We could not see anything at the waterhole, but we heard Lions and Jackals calling in the distance.

Last edited by katydownunder on Tue Jan 25, 2011 9:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.